Big Games the Highlight of World Juniors Day Four

In day four of the 2015 IIHF World Juniors highly anticipated games were slated for the day. Power house Canada took on the defending champs Finland. High scoring Sweden took on the heavy hitting Russians. Denmark still looking for their first win in tournament play took on the Czech Republic, and the United States looked to continue their high powered play against Slovakia. This was a day that if you could only watch one day of games in the round robin stage, this would be the one you would want to watch.

Denmark 2 Czech Republic 3 OT

Watching Denmark come so close but fall short in each of their games has been heart breaking. Denmark got out to an early lead on a goal by Mads Eller. The Czech Republic took advantage of a power play and a goal by Jan Stencel tied the game up. In the second the Czech took the lead after a goal from Jan Kostalek and the Denmark team getting their first win looked hopeless.

Yet Denmark connected on the power play and tied the game thanks to Oliver Bjorkstrand. In the third the two battled with Denmark taking the lead with five minutes left in the third on a power play goal by Asperup.

But less than a minute later the Czech Republic on a Dominik Kubalik goal tied it up and the two headed to overtime. One minute and one second into overtime and the Czech Republic Dashed the Danes chances of getting their first tournament win.

USA 3, Slovakia 0

Coming into the game today the United States had a streak of 118 minutes without allowing a goal. After their game against Slovakia, it was a streak of 178 minutes. The two teams were held scoreless in the first and the United States looked a little sloppy throughout. They didn’t take the puck to the net until late in the period and shots stood at 10-3 for the States. In the Second a Sonny Milano goal gave the United States a 1-0 lead. Milano’s goal was assisted by Red Wings prospect Dylan Larkin who also netted an unassisted goal later in the third period. John Hayden added an insurance goal also in the third and the United States wrapped up a 3-0 win against Slovakia. Goalie Thatcher Demko 17-17 on saves and picked up his second win of the tournament. Larkin was named player of the game for the second day in a row.

“There was some frustration with some guys, but we’re pretty persistent and we kept shooting,” Larkin said.

Larkin noted the shooting challenge by the team post game with the media.”There was some frustration with some guys, but we’re pretty persistent and we kept shooting,” said Larkin.

Sweden 3, Russia 2

In one of the most anticipated games of the day, fans got their moneys worth in this game. Last year these two teams saw brutal battles and fights that almost involved coaches on the bench. This game was short of the big fistacuffs but the two teams fought a battle. Sweden got out to a 1-0 lead on a power play goal by Gustav Forsling which was assisted by Adrain Kempe and Red Wings Prospect Axel Holstrom.

Russia tied the game in the second on a goal by Vyacheslav Leshenko, and at the end of 2 the two were tied. Russia gained the lead on another goal by Leshenko. Then the Swedes got onto a power play and Forsling netted the tying goal, with an assist from William Nylander who also got the assist on the winning goal by Holstrom as the Swedes went on to best Russia 3-2. This was a game worth watching and I suggest you watch the highlights.

Canada 4, Finland 1

In the final game of the day Canada continued their dominance in a 4-1 win against Finland. In a game Finland really needed to win from the start of the game the Fins looked nothing like they did in the game against the United States. Sam Reinhart opened up scoring for Canada on a power play and they lead 1-0 after 1. In the second Reinhart added another goal to make it 2-0 before Finland cut the lead in half on a Artturi Lehkonen goal. Yet after that it was all Canada as Anthony Duclair and Curtis Lazar netted goals and Canada went on to win their their straight game of the tournament.

With this loss Finland is now in a spot where they must win their next game, that being against Germany, if they want to move on to the next round of play. Canada is looking ahead to their next game against the United States. Here are the standing heading into the last two day of the preliminary round.

What is on tap for tomorrow

Denmark vs Switzerland 5pm

Germany vs Slovakia 8pm